Question
Is there and HIV risk from blood on cotton balls?
15 October 2007. Related: All topics, HIV transmission.
I work in a medical office and the trash had cotton balls that were bloody. Then after that I realized I had blood in my hands I had some small cuts in my hands. I am worried I could catch HIV. The cotton had being in the trash for about 3hrs. Could I be at risk of something.
Answer
No. HIV is not infectious in spilt blood – usually within minutes of the blood leaving the body. Even if this patient had HIV, you could not have caught it.
Other infections, including hepatitis C, can remain infectious for longer. This is something you should speak to your empolyer about.
Clinics and hospitals should heve proper hygiene and safety practices that ensure that spilt blood is not a risk for employees.